Combined radioreceiver and phonograph reproducer and recorder



Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,724,191 PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED N. GOLDSMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO RADIO CORPORATIONOF AMERICA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

COMBINED BADIORECEIVFJB; AND PHONOGRAPH REPR/ODUCER AND RECORDER.

Application filed June 12, 1925. 'SeriaINo. 36,572.

The invention concerns an arrangement for receiving radio broadcastprograms, reproducing phonograph selections or recording phonographselections either from broadcast programs or from a local source.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device which shallcombine all of.

these functibns or any number of them and which may be readilychanged'by an unskilled operator to select any desired, function.

In my copending application Serial No. 35,853, filed June 9, 1925, Ihave described a combined electric phonograph and radio receiver. Theapparatus described inthat application makes use of a single audiofrequency amplifier for either an electric phonograph or a radioreceiver. The present invention is an improvement over the arrangementthere shown as it incorporates several new features in addition to thosein the copending application. It is contemplated that the presentdevice-shall contain a radio receiver and audiofre uency amplifier, aloud speaker and a reversi 1e electric phonograph reproducer andrecorder with suitable Switching arrangement to selectively connect theseveral, elements so that the apparatus may be used for any ofthefollowing purso poses: 1. To listen to incoming radio programs.

2. To listen to. electric phonograph records. c

3. To record incoming radio selections on a phonograph record. v

'4. To record local selections on a phonograph record.

'5. To simultaneously listen to and record incoming radio selections.

The term radio 'receiver as used throughout this specification andappended claims indicates any of the well known types ofb'roadcastreceiving apparatus.

The invention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowingjdetailed descriptionwhich should be. read in connection withthe accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 shows a simple switchingarrange- 5 mentaccordingto the invention, and

Fig. 2 shows a modified form of switch- Y ing arrangement by which allnecessary circuit changes can be made with a single manual o eration.

Be erringto Fig. 1 A represents a radio antenna, 1 a radio frequencyamplifier, 2 a detector, 3 an audio frequency amplifier and 4 a loudspeaker. The device 9 is a reversible apparatus which can be usedeitherto reproduce sounds from phonograph records or record sounds onsuch records. These devices which may be of the electromagnetic, piezocrystal or any other-desired type, are well known in the art and neednot be explained in detail. It suffices to say that when the device 9 isenergized by undulating currents it will cause corresponding vibrationsin the attached stylus and on the other hand when the attached stylus isvibrated these vibrations will cause corresponding undulating currentsin the device 9.

Before proceeding further with the description it should be noted thatthe diagram is a single linediagram, that is a complete circuit isindicated by a single line. Although of course, the circuits wouldordinarily each contain two wires they have been represented in thisfashion for the sake of clearness and it will be apparent that theswitching system as shown can be readily applied to the actual circuitsas it is usually necessary to open only one side of a circuit, tointerrupt its electrical continuity. On the other hand the switchingdevices can 85 be arranged to open both sides of the circuit if desired,in which case each single contact in the drawings would represent twocontacts in practice and each switch blade would represent two'insulated switch blades.

The arrangement in Fig. 1 has a selective switching arrangementconsistin of three switchesdesignated by 14, 10 and 15. The

switch 14 consists of 'a movable contact ,5

connected as shown to the input circuit of the audio frequencyamplifier3 and three coacting stationary contacts 6, 7 and 8, thecontact 7 being connected to the output circuit 'of detector 2 and thecontact 8 being connected to the reproducer and recorder 9;

The switch 10 consists of a movable contact 11'- adapted to selectivelyengage stationary contact 12 or stationary contact 13, the formeraofwhich is connected to the output of the audio frequency amplifier 3. andthe latter to the contact 6 ofswitch. '14.n. The movable contact 11 ofswitch 10 is connected to the sound producing device 4:. The.

switch 15 consists of a movable contact 16:.

connected to theoutput circuit of thaau'cli? 11G corder 9.v

frequency amplifier 3 and a stationary contact 17 connected to thereproducer and re- Byi properly positioning these several switches aswill now be explained, the apparatus may be used for any of thesefunctions noted above.

Assume first that it is desired to hear incoming radio signals throughthe loud speaker 4. In this case the movable contact of switch 14 willbe placed on stationary contact 7, the movable contact 11 of switch willbe placed on stationary contact '12 and switch will be opened. The radiosignals received by antenna A will be amplified and detected by theunits 1 and 2 respectively and the rectified signals will pass throughthe closed switch 5 to the audio frequency amplifier 3 and thencethrough the contact 12 and movable contact 11 to the loud speaker 4. Inthis position the reproducer and recorder 9 will be cut out of circuitentirely.

Now suppose that it is desired to listen to a phonograph record. In thiscase the movable member 5 of switch 14 will be placed on stationarycontact 8, movable contact 11 of switch 10 on stationary contact 12 andswitch 15 will be left open as before. In this case the undulatingcurrents from device 9 will be led through the contacts Sand 5 to theaudio frequency amplifier 3 and thence through switch contacts 12 and 11to the loud speaker 4. In this arrangement the radio receiver comprisingthe antenna and radio frequency amplifier and detector is cut out ofcircuit.

Suppose again that it is desired to record incoming radio selections butnot to listen to them. In this case the movable contact 5 of the switch14 will be placed on the stationary contact 7 the switch 10 will be leftopen altogether and the switch 15 closed. The incoming radio signalswill then be led through the radio frequency amplifier 1 and detector 2to the contact 7 thence across the 'movablecontact 5 'to the audiofrequency amplifier 3 and across the switch 15 to the device 9 nowacting as a recorder. In this case the loud speaker 4 will be cut out ofI circuit.

' contact 13 and the switch 15 will-be closed.

With this arrangement the loud speaker 4 ma be used, as a transmitter ormicrophone .an sounds impressed on its diaphragm will causecorresponding undulating currents which will be led through contacts 11and 13 of swi-tch 10 to stationary contact 6 and through movable contact5 to the audio amplifier and then through the closed switch 15 to therecorder 9. In this arrangement the sounds impinged on the diaphragm ofthe loud speaker 4 may be recorded. on a suitable record by theresulting vibrations of the stylus of the device 9.

It may, however, be desired to listen to incoming radio signals as wellas to record them. In this case the movable contact 5 of switch 14 willbe placed on stationary contact 7 the movable contact 11 of switch 10 onthe stationary contact 12 and the switch 15 will be closed. Here theincoming signals after passing through the radio amplifier and detectorwill be conducted across the switch contacts 7 and 5 to the audiofrequency amplifier whose. output circuit now presents two branches inparallel, one across the switch contacts 12 and 11 to the loud speaker 4and the other across the closed switch 15 to the recorder 9. In thiscase the signals may be recorded on a suitable record by the vibratingstylus of device 4 and will be reproduced as well by the loud speaker 4.

The circuit arrangement in Fig. 1 includes three separate switches 14,10 and 15 and while the device will operate .quite satisfactory in thismanner it is desirable, particularly where operation by an unskilledoperator is concerned, to make the switching arrangement as simple aspossible and if desired these three switches may be combined into asingle switching device by which any desired operation may be obtainedby one single movement of a movable switch member. An arrangement of thelatter type is shown by way of example in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 2 the circuit arrangement is very similar to that in Fig. 1. Arepresents as before the antenna, 21 a radio frequency amplifier, 22 adetector, 23 an audio frequency amplifier, 24 a loud speaker and 29 acombined reproducer and recorder, all of these devices beingsubstantially the same as similar ones in Fig. 1. The three switches 14,10 and 15 of Fig. 1, however, have been replaced by a.single commutatorswitch S which has substantially the same operation as the switches 14,10 and 15 in Fig. 1, the principal difference being that a singleswitching operation is sufiicient to select any functionof the device.The switch S consists of a panel on which is mounted an arcuate contact30 connected to the input circuit of the audio frequency amplifier and asimilar oppositely disposed arcuate contact 31 connected to the outputcircuit of this amplifier. These contacts are each of suiticient lengthto cover the entire operating travel of the movable switch 26. Above thearcuate contact 30 on the panel 25 is located a series of contactsdesignated as 32 to 36, respectively, arranged in an arcuate path andinsulated from each other and from the contact 30; Contacts 32, 34 and36 are connected 40 to the contact 28 thereby placing it in circuit withthe loud s caker 24. The movable member 26 of this commutator switch tothe output circuit of the detector while contacts 33 and 35 areconnected to the reproducer 29 and the loud speaker 24 respectively. Onthe lower part of the-panel are additional arcuate contacts 27 and 28electrically insulated from each other, the former being connected tothe device 29 and the latter to the loud speaker-24. It should be notedthat the contact 27 is as long as two of the contacts 32, 33 etc. withtheir intervening insulation and the contact 28 is as long as three ofthese contacts with their intervening insulation. An auxiliary contact37 is placed in the path of the moving switch member at one of itsextreme operative positions and is connected by jumper comprises acentral insulating pivoted portion with two conducting portions 46 and47 extending in diametrically opposite directions therefrom. -As themovable member 26 is moved about its pivot the conducting portion 47bridges the contact 30 to one of the contacts 32 to 36 inclusive, whilethe conducting portion 46 bridges the arcuate contact 31 and one of thecontacts 27 or 28. In one extreme operating position the conductingportion 46 will also bridge the arcuate contact 31 and theauxiliarycontact 37.

The switch is movable to five different operating positions designatedas M, N, (),P and Q respectively. In the position Q the circuits will beso connected as to cause the radio receiver to operate the loud speaker24 in the usual manner. The circuit extends from the detector 22 tocontact 32 across the switch member 47 to the contact 30 thence throughthe audio frequency amplifier to the contact 31 and across the switchmember 46 to the contact 28 and the loud speaker 24. In this positionthere will be no connection to the reproducer and recorder 29. If themovable member 26 be moved to its second position designated P the radioreceiver will be cut out of circuit and the loud speaker 24 willreproduce a phonograph record in 0p- .erative relationship with thereproducer 29.

This circuit will extend from the device 29 to the contact 33 across themovable contact 47 to the contact 30 thence through the audio frequencyamplifier to the loud speaker 24 as before. In the positions marked 0and N by similar circuits either incoming radio signals or localselections through the-horn 24 may be recorded asexplained in connectionwith Fig. 1. In its extreme position M the switch blade 46 will bridgethe three cont acts 31, 37 and 28 in which case the loud speaker 24 andrecorder 29 will be placed in parallel in the audio frequency amplifierout-put circuit and the radio receiver will be connected through thecontacts 36 and 30 to the inputof theaudio frequency amplifier.

In this case incoming radio signals may be recorded b the recorder 29 aswell as reproduced by t 1e loud speaker 24: I

It will be apparent therefore that I have devised an apparatus that withvery few parts can be made to perform a great number of differentfunctions thereby extending its usefulness and economizing largely inexpensive material and devices. It will be understood that the showingof the device is very diagrammatic and that the invention is capable ofmany refinements which will readily occur to those skilled in the art,for

example, the switch S in Fig. 2 might be used to control the tubefilament circuits of the device as well as select the required signalingcircuits. The particular form of switch, moreover, is not essentlal asit is obvious that many other forms could be used without departing fromthe spirit of the' Invention. It is further contemplated that" all theapparatus shown may be incorporated and said recorder to the outputcircuit thereof.

2. In combination a combined reproducer and recorder, a combined soundresponsive and producing device, an amplifier having input and outputcircuits and selective switching means for alternativelyconnecting saidreproducer and recorder to either one of said amplifier circuits andsaid device to the other.

3. In combination a radio receiver. a recorder, a combined soundresponsive and producing device, an amplifier having an input and anoutput circuit and selective switching means for connecting saidreceiver to the input circuit of the amplifier and said device to theoutput circuit thereof or said device to the input circuit of saidamplifier and said recorder to the'output circuit thereof.

4. In combination a radio receiver, a recorder, a combined soundresponsive and producing device, an amplifier having an input and anoutput circuit and switching means for selectively connecting saiddevice to the input circuitof said amplifier and said recorder to theoutputcircuit thereof or said receiver to the input circuit of saidamplifier and said device and recorder to the output circuit thereof.

5. In combination a radio receiver, a combined reproducer and recorder,a combined sound responsive and producing device, an amplifier having aninput and'an output circuit'and switching means for selectivelyconnecting either said receiver or said re-' producer tothe inputcircuit of said amplifier and saiddevice to the output circuit thereofor said device to the input circuit of said amplifier and said recorderto the output circuit thereof.

6. In combination a radio receiver, arecorder, a combined soundresponsive and producing device, an amplifier having an input and anoutput circuit and switching means for selectively connecting said re-.ceiver to said input circuit and said device to said output circuit orconnecting the recorder to either one of the amplifier circuits and saiddevice to the other.

7.. In combinationa radio receiver, a recorder, a combined soundresponsive and producing device, an amplifier having an input and anoutput circuit and switching means for selectively connecting said re:ceiver to said input circuit and either said device alone or said deviceand said recorder to said outputci-rcuit or said device to said inputcircuit and said recorder to said output circuit.

8. In combination a radio receiver, a combined reproducer and recorder,a combined sound responsive and producing device, an

amplifier having an input and an output circuit and switching meansfor-selectively connecting either said receiver or said device to saidinput circuit and said recorder to said output circuit or saidreproducer to said input circuit and said device to sa id outputcircuit.

9. In combination a radio receiver, a combined reproduce:- and recorder,a combined sound responsive and producing device, an

amplifier having an input and an output circuit and switching means forselectively connecting said recelver to said input 011- cuit and saidrecorder and said device to to said input circuit and said recorder tosaid output circuit.

11. In combination a radio receiver, a combined reproduerand recorder, acombined sound responsive and producing device, an amplifier having aninput and an output circuit and switching means for selectivelyconnecting said receiver to said input circuit and said device or saidrecorder to said output circuit or said reproducer and recorder to oneof said amplifier circuits and said device to the other.

12. In combination a radio receiver, an amplifier having an input and anoutput circuit, a combined reproducer and recorder, a combined soundresponsive and producing device and switching means for selectivelyconnecting either said receiver or said reproducer to said input circuitand said device to said output circuit or said device to said inputcircuit and said recorder to said output circuit or said receiver tosaid input circuit and said device and recorder to said output circuit.

13. In combination a radio receiver, a recorder, a combined soundresponsive and producing device, an amplifier having an input and anoutput circuit and switching means for selectively connecting saidreceiver to said input circuit and saiddevice alone or said recorderalone or said device and said recorder to said output circuit or saiddevice to said input circuit and said recorder to said output circuit.

14. In combination a radio receiver, a combined reproducer and recorder,a combined sound responsive and producing device, an amplifier having aninput and an output circuit, and switching means for selectivelyconnecting said reproducer and re; corder to either one of saidamplifier circuits and said device to the other or said receiver to saidmput circuit and either sald recorder alone or said device and recorderto said output circuit.

15. In combination a radio receiver, a combined reproducer and recorder,a combined sound responsive and producing de vice, an amplifier havin aninput and an output circuit and switc ling means for selectivelyconnecting said receiver to said input circuit and said device alone orsaid recorder alone or both the device and recorder to said outputcircuit or said reproducer and recorder to either one of said amplifiercircuits and said device to the other.

. ,ALFRED N. GOLDSMITH.

